Eliza Gayle's Blog, page 21

Dean Day Winner

Using random.org to pick a true random winner from the comments left on the Dean Day post I have a winner!

Congrats to AMY J!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you're going to love the Supernatural Demon book.

If you don't get an email from me please send me a note at elizagayleauthor at gmail dot com with your mailing address.

Thanks, Eliza

Happy Dean Day 2011

Welcome to Dean Day! Formerly known as Valentines Day.

Last year a group of bloggers and huge Dean Winchester fans got together and declared February 14th as Dean Day. We all had so much fun we've decided to do it again. I'm hoping it becomes a regular tradition because it's fun to spend a day declaring our love for Dean and Supernatural.

To share my love for this great show I am offering up a paperback copy of

The "Supernatural" book of monsters, spirits, demons and ghouls

Fans of the blockbuster television phenomenon can rejoice! A one-of-a-kind compilation of all of Sam and Dean's demon-busting knowledge, The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls contains illustrations and detailed descriptions that catalogue the more than two dozen otherworldly enemies that most people believe exist only in folklore, superstition, and nightmares:vampires, ghosts, revenants, reapers, and even bloody clowns. You'll find within these pages Sam and Dean's notes, observations, and memories interwoven with sections of John Winchester's invaluable journal, making this book the perfect companion to every thrilling episode—and an essential weapon in the secret war against the hidden creatures of the darkness!

See the bottom of the post to see how to win this book.

As for Dean…

There are so many things to love about him that it's hard to decide where to begin. The most obvious thing is how yummy he is. Each week whether he is fighting bad guys, teasing his brother Sammy, or hitting on women, he looks damn good doing it.

And when he smiles… swoon.

He's also funny as hell. So much so that fans call his witty wisdom Deanisms. I think it's his combination of humor , devotion to those he cares about and his unshaking faith in doing the right thing that makes him the perfect hero in Supernatural. I hope as a writer that I've learned something about creating characters from Dean.

He also drives my car.

Okay so mine was pea green and not nearly as shiny but that classic Impala was my first car as a teenager and it holds many of my fondest teenage memories.

His taste in music is exceptional. Seriously anyone with a fondness for classic rock is awesome in my book.

I really love it when an incredible actor and wonderfully written character meet. It's Hollywood magic not to be forgotten. So even when Supernatural ends you can bet I'll be watching my DVDs of each season for a very long time to come.

If you are a fan and look back over the years, there have been so many memorable, stick-with-you moments. Pudding anyone? Or how about "Dean screams like a girl" or the "Supernatural convention"

I'm trying not to repeat myself from last year so instead I will leave you with a couple of videos from some of my favorite moments of this season so far.

Dean Vs. The Fairy – This one doesn't allow me to embed the video here but I think it's worth a look. By the time he says nipple I'm on the floor laughing.

And the Twi-Hard episode.

Now for the giveaway:

Win your very own paperback copy and learn all about the legends and myths surrounding the Supernatural Monsters in Dean and Sam's POV

Contest is open to US Only and runs from 9 am US eastern time on Feb. 14th through 9 am US eastern time on Feb. 16th.

To be eligible to win simply leave a comment here about Dean Day as well as an email I can contact you at if you are chosen.

That's it folks!

HAPPY DEAN DAY!

Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

Be sure to visit the other Dean Day participants for lots and lots more Dean love.

Sweet Submission is now available!

My contribution to the exciting and romantic Perfect Strangers series from All Romance eBooks is now available. Every day since February 1st, All Romance has been releasing one Perfect Stranger story a day. Sweet Submission is the final story to be release.

Sweet Submission

All Romance eBooks

ISBN: 9781936387311

Genre: Contemporary BDSM

Themes: Dominance, Submission, Bondage, Multiple Partners

Length: Novella

Buy at All Romance eBooks

Blurb:

Who knew a rose could hurt so good?

Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year for Harper Allison and her cupcake bakery. She's not personally interested in the trumped up holiday until she receives an anonymous gift with explicit instructions that include a rendezvous at the most upscale BDSM club in the city.

From the moment Alex lays eyes on Harper at the Glass Kat Club he wants her. And what Alex wants Alex gets. He formulates a plan with his best friend, one guaranteed to fulfill Harper's unspoken desires and hidden fantasies.

Unfortunately for Alex, one night is all Harper is prepared to give. Her life is complicated enough without having two Doms pushing her to submit, no matter how incredibly sexy they are. Until the familiar voice of a stranger reminds her…Maybe she doesn't know Alex at all.

Excerpt:

"Tell me why you decided to come here, kitten."

She hesitated in answering. He could practically see the gears turning in her mind as she tried to find the right words to voice her desires without giving too much away to someone she didn't know from Adam. It was an age-old dance and one he wished they didn't have to go through.

"Fantasy," she blurted. "I—uh—I mean this club, it's the kind of place that fantasies are made of."

"Hmm…" He trailed his fingers along the curve of her neck and across her collarbone. The skinny straps holding up her dress were no match for a man of his tastes. He banked the urge to rip them away and instead continued a path across her skin to the dip that led to the cleavage the dress had been designed to enhance.

The silk provided little barrier against his probing touch. Harper's lips parted on a sigh when he circled her hardened nipples. They reminded him of small pebbles the more he stroked them. Through the flimsy fabric he pinched the tips, elongating them between his fingers. She gasped, her back arched, pushing her breasts fully into his hands.

He released her and she moaned in protest, clearly hoping for more. Immediately, he reached for her again, this time applying twice as much pressure as before. Her mouth gaped in surprise. This time he pulled and twisted until she writhed against him. Her harsh breaths mingled with his, an obvious sign of the pleasure she derived from the mixture of pain and pleasure he applied. Every hope he'd harbored about her willingness and likely response was coming to fruition. Time to step up the game.

"I love how easily you respond."

She jerked a few inches away and color flooded her cheeks. Her arms flew up in a half attempt to push him away.

He gripped her nipples tighter. "No, don't be ashamed. That was meant as a compliment. It's almost more than I'd dared hope for." He squeezed a fraction harder. "Tonight is going to be a very enjoyable experience my little kitten."

She whimpered a second before he released her. The flushed rose of her skin and the light sheen of sweat at the edge of her hair pleased him to no end. She'd gotten more aroused the farther he pushed. He ached to lift her skirt and dip his fingers in her cunt. Although he didn't need a test to know he'd find her dripping wet.

His cock jumped in his pants at the thought. Already his imagination fired on overload with images of thrusting between her thighs while she milked him of his release. When the muscles of her shoulder relaxed, he pulled her into his arms once again. Without giving her a chance to say a word he covered her mouth with his, taking the kiss he desperately needed. He drank in the taste and texture of her mouth on an inward groan.

Everything about her was so damned sweet. Her tongue tentatively met his when he thrust beyond her lips to the warm recess of her mouth. Alex put everything he felt into the kiss. The instant rush of lust he'd experienced the first time he'd seen her to the moment he'd seen her enter the club on the security screens. Needing to be inside her so bad he nearly ached with it, he wrapped his arms around her and cupped the globes of her curvy ass.

Silky hair brushed his neck and he groaned in response. It would be so easy to change his plans and allow himself to get lost in her tonight—alone. Alex wrenched his mouth free and stared down at her upturned face. The blindfold hid her eyes but he didn't need them to see what he needed to see. Her breath came in pants, her hands had gripped his biceps with the grip of death the moment their mouths had met. She wanted this. The fantasy she'd called it. And he would give it to her, hook, line and sinker.

"Are you ready for the rest of your fantasy then?"

Snippet Saturday – Love Scenes

I've pulled a snippet from Midnight Playground that pretty much sets the scene for what to expect in this book. But be warned. I aim to tease you today.

Snippet:

Chase lowered his camera, and Murphy froze next to him.

"What did you say?" Surprised and intrigued by her outburst, he set down his camera on the small worktable stationed next to the floodlight. Suddenly the need to touch her overwhelmed him as he watched her stand up straight and raise her chin with a new found courage.

"Please, for once let me feel what it's like to not have to be in control. To not have to stress over every detail. To be someone else, even if it's just one day. Please, Chase, I need this."

He ignored the barely there moan that sounded from Murphy to study the woman in front of him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears that clearly took everything she had to contain. Apparently their receptionist had more layers than even he'd thought. However, without full knowledge there were a variety of things that could go wrong. Her inability to share the trauma that disrupted her life should have had him escorting her out of his studio. Yet, he knew he wouldn't.

Without turning from Eve, Chase spoke to Murphy. "Get the chair."

"As for you." He lowered his voice and moved close. "I hope you understand what you're asking for. This goes beyond a few pictures." He curved around her side and stood behind her. He was close enough to feel her body heat without touching her. The contrast of the black lace of her undergarments against her creamy flesh pleased the eye of the photographer, but the man wanted to rip the offending coverings away.

He opted for a compromise since they had plenty of time to explore. "The camera doesn't lie, and I have no problem taking you as far as I need to in order to expose the woman underneath. But first, tell me you want this." Chase unclasped the hooks that held her bra in place and allowed it to drop to the floor. The sexy hitch in her breathing pleased him immensely, even more so when she didn't object. Pale, freckled skin beckoned him. Her ample breasts would more than fill his hands, but it was the taut, jutting nipples that informed him how much more she needed.

"I want this."

Without the camera acting as a barrier between them, he couldn't resist touching her. His hands spanned a good portion of her waist—soft, delicate skin he longed to see abraded by rope. Rich amber hair floated down her back with a scent of lavender and some spice he couldn't name. But the color drew him like a flame. Every sexual thought he'd had since she'd arrived had something to do with the hue of her hair.

Sinful, decadent thoughts that always led to her begging for more while he captured every expression on film. Reluctantly, he withdrew when Murphy arrived with the black oak chair and rope he'd already laid out. A gentle push on her shoulder was all it took for her to bend her knees and take a cautious seat.

"Sit back and try to relax. You're going to be in this position for a while." Chase let Murphy get to work while he retrieved some new lenses. As much as he wanted to photograph her, he also wanted to fuck her. Or better yet, photograph her while she sucked him off. His cock twitched in his pants on that one. Yeah, he hoped the little minx had it in her, because he planned to stress some of her limits before the day was over.

"Ready," Murphy called from behind him.

Chase turned and nearly swallowed his tongue at the sight in front of him. Murphy and his Cheshire-smug grin stared back at him.

"Pretty, isn't she?"

"'Pretty' doesn't do her justice."

Be sure to follow the trail for more snippety goodness:

Jody Wallace

Emma Petersen

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

Shelli Stevens

TJ Michaels

Lauren Dane

Helen Kay Dimon

Leah Braemel

Midnight Playground – The Reviews

Earlier this week I mentioned a new review for Midnight Playground from JERR. Since those reviews come in a newsletter that I can't link to I said I'd post the review here.

From: the Just Erotic Romance Reviews newsletter:

Title: Midnight Playground

Author: Eliza Gayle

Publisher: Loose Id

Reviewer: Priscilla Alston

Rating: 5.0 Stars

Heat level: O

Working for a fetish photographer at Altered Ego may be a piece of cake for most women, but for Eve Blake, it's an opportunity to walk on the wild side and release some of her inhibitions. Eve's job as a receptionist keeps her in close contact with photographer Chase and the male model he uses in his shoots, Murphy. Amazingly hot and sexy, Eve can't help pleasuring herself as she peeks at some of the erotic BDSM scenes with Murphy, but she'd be so embarrassed if they knew what she's been doing. When a client seeks a full-figured model for a special shoot, Eve gathers up her courage to volunteer. Chase flatly tells her "no", and she's devastated, thinking she's not good enough. Little does she know that Chase and Murphy have had their eyes on Eve since her employment, but they wonder if she knows what she's in for as their submissive and all that it entails?

Eliza Gayle does a great job of enveloping Eve in a cocoon of sensual love and dominance from two very masterful men throughout Midnight Playground. The business partnership between Chase and Murphy makes sense and I could tell they clearly enjoyed their job and the added benefit of Eve in their lives. Eve enjoys the naughtiness of the relationship and her sexuality evolves under the tutelage of Chase and Murphy in very imaginative ways. I love that she's curvy, making her that much more interesting as a realistic character. In addition to effortless writing and deep emotion, the sex in Midnight Playground is explosive and provocative making the reader want to try a few things at home. Take a few moments to explore this delectable and creative tale and feel the ultimate pleasure of the BDSM world. Five stars and counting.

Last month Midnight Playground was also reviewed by The Forbidden Bookshelf, one of my favorite go to blogs when looking for a good BDSM romance. Here's a snippet with a link to the full review.

"Midnight Playground is a scorching hot read!  Though this is a short erotic novel, the author did a great job creating a sensual and emotional story with interesting characters…" Diana, The Forbidden Bookshelf

…And a lovely review from Dark Divas Reviews.

"I have enjoyed many books by Eliza Gayle, but Midnight Playground has definitely made it to one of the top slots in that list.

Eve's story really comes to life from page one as the reader tries to figure out all the ins and outs of the characters; what baggage they bring to the table; what obstacles there will be on their way to a healthy relationship between the three of them. Chase and Murphy are such different creatures, so unique and diverse in their needs and issues. They've gone through the same heartbreak in the past but their individualized responses were very realistic and I enjoyed the resolutions that were found to all their issues…" Jae, Dark Divas Reviews

I've been thinking a lot about a sequel to this story and reviews like this do make me think another visit to Altered Ego might be a lot of fun for us all. I do love receiving reader feedback so another story is definitely on the list of potential projects for this summer.:) First we will be revisiting the cougars with Malcolm coming out in late March.

I hope you all have a great weekend and if you haven't already heard, I have a contest running on my Facebook fan page for a chance to win a download copy of Sweet Submission (which comes out on Sunday just in time for Valentines Day!) and an early invitation to the all new ARe Cafe. But hurry, the contest ends tommorow morning at 10:00 am eastern US time.

Eliza

Snippet Saturday – Bad Mood

I've decided for today's theme to share some of Kane, the second book in my black cougar series. Kane and Lara fight a lot. It's damned frustrating when your head tells you one thing and your body another. Loving or lusting after one's enemy does not come easy.

Excerpt:

"What have you done?"

She glanced down at his feet and stared. He followed her gaze and a stream of curses flew from his mouth as he realized he'd stepped right into her circle and she'd just bound him to it.

"You bitch."

Her lips spread into a grin she hoped was as wicked as she felt. "Don't try foreplay with me, you'll find yourself neutered faster than you can say that word again."

"You can't hold me here."

His arrogance wiped the smile from her face as her brow arched in his direction. "Hmm, let's see. You're stuck there and I'm roaming free. In my book that means I do whatever the hell I want and you can't do a thing about it."

A low snarl sounded from his throat as sharp canines peeked from beneath a curled lip. "What do you want then? A chance to beg for your life?"

It would be a cold day in hell before she begged for anything from him, but she thought about his other question. What did she want? Just him dead, right? She looked at him, really looked at him. It had been weeks since she'd seen him last, and unfortunately he looked even better than she remembered. His spiked, short hair had grown out since then and it was messier and in desperate need of a comb, or maybe her fingers running through it.

His eyes, glaring at her, were dark, like coal in anger. She stood too far away to make out the flecks of gold she'd seen before. The grim line of his lips against the square, firm jaw made her want to laugh out loud. He was damned irresistible right now. It wasn't right for him to look so—so sinful. He made her think of sex. Sex on the floor, sex on the wall, sex damn near any which way she could get it.

She let out a slow, unsteady breath. She had to stop thinking about him like that; the time for fun was long gone.

"I'm tired of playing with you, cat. It's time to end this."

"What exactly is this?" His hands gestured around them. "You're a criminal, Lara. One who now has a death sentence against her."

"I'm not the one who deserves to die." Her anger fired hot and she practically spat at him. "You and yours are the only criminals as far as I'm concerned. You're just afraid for someone to finally expose you for what you really are." She turned away from him. What she felt when she looked at him and what she knew were at odds, and it drove her crazy. Nerve endings sizzled as desire warred with the facts her brain wouldn't let her forget.

"You aren't making any sense. Make me understand what this is all about."

She whirled back around and stalked across the room, careful not to get too close to the circle, which could weaken.

"Tell me something, Kane. Before you kill, do you even take the time to learn something about your victim?"

"What the hell kind of question is that? I don't take lives because I enjoy it. I do it because it has to be done, it's a duty—a job. Without order and rules our secrets can't be maintained. And then people like you start hunting us, wanting to kill all of us because of fear of the unknown. We aren't evil, you know. Hell, I'm standing in a spell you created with black magic, talk about evil. You of all people should understand different. So what exactly is your damage?"

"My damage?" She wanted to reach through the barrier holding him and slap the crap out of him, maybe knock some sense into that pretty boy head of his. What had she been thinking? "How can you be sure you aren't killing the innocent? Do you ever question the validity and integrity of your precious council?"

"Why should I? Every case is presented and voted on by unbiased members of our clan. It's their duty to ensure everyone a fair trial and our system has worked well for a very long time."

"Like with me?" His blind faith burned in her gut worse than a wicked case of indigestion that wouldn't go away no matter how many antacids you popped.

"I witnessed your treachery with my own eyes. The evidence is pretty cut and dry." His voice had lowered, and if she didn't know better she could have sworn she detected a thread of sadness. In fact, now that she thought about it, he didn't seem all that angry about being trapped. Did he not believe she would really kill him? Would she?

"You're nothing but a liar. An animal that wouldn't see the truth if it bit him on the ass." Power flared through her as the edge of her control frayed.

"That's right, honey. I'm an animal and right now I can smell just how full of shit you are. You think you can hide your wet little pussy from me? That I can't sense arousal?"

As always be sure to follow the trail for more snippety goodness.

Leah Braemel

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

TJ Michaels

Lauren Dane

Jody Wallace



Shelli Stevens

Saturday Snippet – Dark Moment

Every book has the black moment. When the ending for the hero and heroine does not look hopeful. But before that there are often a series of ever increasing dark moments or events that lead the hero or heroine to believe everything is not okay. So for today I have chosen a brief snippet from Midnight Playground that is very early on but is still something that has to be overcome to proceed.

Eve receives a photography order on behalf of her boss and the wheels immediately begin turning with thoughts of how this could be her chance to finally get the attention of both her employers.

Excerpt:

Model must be redheaded and of a plus-size nature with full breasts.

Eve nearly choked on her sip of coffee. In all the orders she'd taken, no one had ever asked for a plus-size model. Whoever the mystery customer was, she already liked him. A larger woman would be a refreshing change around here. She clicked to forward the message to Chase and went back to the rest of her e-mails. If she focused on her work, maybe she'd be able to get her mind off the scene she'd spied on at least long enough to get through the rest of the day.

When she got home, all bets were off, and her vibrator would get the workout of its life. A wicked smile tugged at her lips. She desperately wanted to know more about Chase's and Murphy's private lives. Sure she knew a lot about their fetishes, but how deep into the BDSM scene did they go? Her pathetic and limited experience left her a little green, but mostly because she found it difficult to define her own needs, let alone find a Dom to click with.

So much of the local scene seemed to revolve around playing roles. Master and slave. Simply thinking the words made her pussy clench. Maybe one day she'd figure it out…understand how to be what a master sought.

"Eve."

She jumped at the sound of her name. So lost in her thoughts she'd not heard Chase approach her desk. Her breath quickened and her pulse sped up from the one simple word. She lifted her lashes and looked at him through hooded eyes she prayed didn't look guilty. Because right now she felt like a naughty girl who'd just been busted. Thank God she'd refrained from touching herself again.

"This new order. Did you talk to them when they called?"

She nodded. Mesmerized by the shade of green reflected in his gaze. In his case, eyes weren't windows to the soul. They were the microscope that saw into her thoughts. As if somehow he'd noticed her spying on him, or that the moment he said her name, renewed arousal dampened her panties, and he damned well knew it.

"Did they say who this was for?"

"No, but I did get the impression it was for someone pretty important. The woman was quite confident that you'd be willing to fill this order as quickly as they wanted." She tried not to fidget, but it was impossible to sit still with him looking at her with such intensity.

"That's too bad because as intriguing as this shoot would be, I'm going to have to turn this one down."

Damn. Even the tight frown of his lips turned her on. She'd give anything to trace the shape of his mouth, to explore every line.

"Why?"

"No model that fits the requirements. It's often hard enough to find a redhead for a hard-core shoot. But a plus-size model? No way."

"What about me? I could do it." Eve clamped her hand over her mouth, shocked she'd blurted the offer out loud. Still, she'd made the offer, and she held her breath waiting for his response.

His eyes narrowed and he stared into her gaze. Searching for something maybe. Her neck warmed with the humiliation that crept through her.

"Come here," he demanded gruffly.

Worried, she moved from behind the reception desk and stood in front of him. Not squirming while he looked at her from head to toe proved impossible as she shifted from one foot to the other. He went back to staring into her eyes and she found it nerve-racking to hold his gaze. Too scared to keep up the pretense, she shifted her gaze to the floor and the black patent four-inch spike heels she had on. The skirts and blouses she wore every day might shout boring, but her shoes were 100-percent hooker.

She'd learned to wear clothes that didn't draw attention to her curves, only her cleavage, and she used her hair and shoes to further distract. Still, standing in front of Chase with the aid of extra height still left her feeling small. The top of her head might reach his chin. She'd guess he stood at least six feet three, if not taller. He simply dwarfed her. And for the first time in her life, she loved being short. It seemed to give him a sense of power over her.

"No." The blunt word shocked her. She stood speechless and rooted to her spot while he turned and walked back to his studio. No explanation, no further discussion, just no.

She fought the tears that threatened to fall as his abrupt rejection filtered through her thoughts. Eve looked at the front door and back at the studio Chase had disappeared into. She'd made the biggest fool of herself with no rock to crawl under.

She wasn't good enough for Chase Miller. The first tear splashed on her cheek and she ran for the exit.

Be sure to follow the trail for more snippetty goodness.

Leah Braemel

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

TJ Michaels

Lauren Dane

Jody Wallace

Sasha White

January Happenings

Since I just wrapped up a story I was writing (Kiss of the Rose – details to be revealed as soon as I'm allowed.), I thought I'd post a little about what's going on now.

I'm back to work on my witch story currently titled Dark Magic Desire (I MUST find a new name since I really don't like this one). This is a story I started almost 4 years ago. I've picked it up many times with the intention of finishing it but never have. It's set in Las Vegas with both the hero and heroine being witches. The heroine is clan through and through and the hero was banished a long time ago. Now she needs his help and he's just stubborn enough to give it to her with conditions of course. Lots of dark and dirty ones. lol

I suspect the story will get re-prioritized as edits come in and other writing deadlines approach, but I'll keep plugging away at it when I can.

No in person appearances this month. As much as I love these I am glad not to be traveling so I can catch up on some of the other writing related duties.

The Purgatory series will begin to reemerge this month. After getting the rights back I've opted not to try and resell them to another publisher and instead publish them myself through Kindle, Nook and All Romance eBooks. Currently waiting on some hot new covers for this project to proceed.

I've received a couple of great new reviews I'd like to share:

"Ms. Gayle does a very good job of taking the reader on an erotic journey through one weekend in this couple's lives. These characters stick with you long after Bottoms Up is over…" ~ Blackraven Reviews

"This book had great characters, a solid storyline, wonderfully edgy sex scenes, a memorable setting, and chemistry that gets you hot under the collar…" – The Romance Reviews on Midnight Playground.

"I must say that this book is HOT. I mean HOT with all capital letters. Eliza Gayle can write some scorching blazing sex scenes and they have never been better than Midnight Playground. I was mesmerized and could not stop reading—following along with the tale of Eve's acceptance of her submission to Chase and Murphy…" ~ Manic Readers

"Fire and Desire: Purgatory" by Eliza Gayle is a fiery BDSM novella that crackles and smokes as it treats a reader with some amazing fire play." ~ Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!

On a more personal front I am hopefully back on track with the weight loss plan. After losing 38 lbs I began to lose my way over the holidays. I thought a few days indulgence wouldn't hurt… HA! I am now hoping those extra 4 lbs won't take too long to get off so I can get back to the real losing. In fact I think its time for my Pilates so I'll wrap this up.

That's January in a nutshell. Hope your month is going well also.

Eliza

Saturday Snippet – New Beginnings

Happy New Year everyone! It was wonderful to welcome in a fresh new year last night. Every year it's a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh if you so desire. New goals, new year, new hope. I can't wait!

Friends to lovers is one of my very favorite themes in romance. So in Bottoms Up I wanted to give two college roommates a new beginning. They waited a long time for it so I think they deserved it. Jenn has decided to make a move and leave NY and goes for a job interview in Riley's hometown. There, she plans to find out once and for all if they have what she thinks they do. Boy is she in for quite a surprise.

Excerpt:

Jenn wandered around the condo and wondered what Riley's life had been like. She knew he loved his job, but she'd been reluctant to ask about his personal life. So far, he hadn't mentioned a significant other, so when the job option here in North Carolina had come open, she'd decided to hop a plane and kill two birds with one stone. She would summon the courage to find out if Riley had any romantic feelings toward her. If so, and she got lucky, she might have a new job and a new life.

Jenn shook her head. Quite a gamble for a woman like her, but what the hell.

Wandering into what looked like a media room, complete with big screen television, she caught site of a collection of DVDs, CDs and books across the room. Curious to see if they still loved the same movies, she walked over and perused his vast collection.

Sure enough he had all of their favorites from college as well as all the latest and greatest blockbusters she'd already seen. Smiling to herself, she glanced through the CDs and books.

On the bottom shelf, her hand froze. It couldn't be.

She pulled the book out with trembling hands and turned it to stare at the cover. The Caring Dominant. She'd seen this book once before. In a bookstore coffee shop, she'd overheard two women discussing it, and when they'd left the store and deserted the book on their table, she'd been curious beyond belief and unable to resist checking it out.

She'd read through some of it, but the fear gripping her insides had forced her to put it down and leave the bookstore as quickly as she could. Maybe her inexperience made her naïve, but when her sex had squeezed excitedly over many of the words, she'd thought something was wrong with her.

Her finger rubbed the edge of the pages and, after a quick glance over her shoulder, she opened the book. The table of contents laid out all the intriguing chapters, but a red paper stuck in the middle of the book caught her eye. She flipped quickly to the place it marked and found a chapter titled, Levels of Submission.

The first few pages detailed the fact that, according to the author, BSDM had many levels of both dominance and submission. She scanned the first paragraph and tried to imagine Riley reading this book. Was he a dominant? Her sex squeezed sharply, the edge of her arousal sharpening at the thought.

How would she feel if Riley did as the book instructed? Commanded her to do things…

Her dreams of Riley had always been intense with him in control of their encounters. Is this what that meant? If he ordered her to strip and get down on her knees, what would she do?

She smiled. Anything he wanted.

Inexperienced didn't mean repressed. If her dreams and taste in reading material were anything to judge by, there was a wild woman inside her dying to get out. She just didn't know how to let her loose.

The red paper slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the ground print side up. Jenn bent to retrieve it and noticed the bold word Purgatory emblazoned across the top of the flyer.

It was an advertisement for a local BDSM club and a recent charity event. The list of activities included spanking, flogging and so much more. Need pulsed in her body from her straining nipples to her pulsing clit. Oh God, she needed Riley. She wanted to know more, learn from him what this was all about.

"I'd say your curiosity just saved us about an hour's worth of awkward conversation."

She dropped the book and whirled around, the paper still grasped between her fingers. "I-I uh—"

"Don't be embarrassed or ashamed, Jenn. I'd planned to find a way to tell you tonight. To explain my life to you."

His life? She couldn't speak with the lump that had formed in her throat. He hadn't bothered with a shirt, and his worn jeans rode low on his hips with the button still undone. The heat inside her rose impossibly higher.

"When I moved here, I decided to explore some of what I thought was the darker side of me. A need for more in my life that nothing else had quite fulfilled."

"And did you find it?" she whispered.

"I did. I have very strong needs, and once I'd learned how to fulfill them, I wanted to share them with the right woman."

"A submissive." Humiliation burned through her. She'd planned to try and make a case for them dating, and he'd already found what he needed in a submissive. Her stomach cramped with the knowledge of being too late.

"Yes, Jenn, a submissive. Someone who craves what I crave, a woman who understands a dominant's need to control. Now, I only need to know one thing. Do you want to be that woman?"

She blinked. Her body jerked to attention.

"What?"

He took a few slow steps closer. "I want you, Jenn. I always have."

This couldn't be happening.

"You've never given me even a hint that you wanted me."

"Haven't I? Not many men spend as much time with a woman he doesn't crave as I did with you. But back in college, I wasn't ready to risk the friendship. Now, I'm ready to claim the woman I want."

"But I'm not submissive. I don't understand."

Riley grabbed her around the waist and hauled her against him. "Are you sure about that? Your face is flushed, your nipples are hard and I caught you reading a book about it. If I were to slide my hand underneath this little skirt of yours, would I find damp panties?" His hand teased her thigh at the edge of the fabric.

With Riley's warm chest pressed against her, it was hard to think straight. She had him right where she'd dreamed and the last thing she wanted to do was push him away.

"I have a confession to make." She breathed heavily. "I came here tonight hoping to find out if you had an interest in me other than as long distance friendship, but…but I—"

"Didn't expect this."

She nodded.

"Well, you're here, and now, you know I'm interested. Are you curious?"

"I've read some of that book before," she admitted.

Riley smiled wide. "Have you now?" He stared at her questioningly. "Well, considering you haven't run from me screaming, I'd say you're more than interested. So…you're here and I'm here and we have two days before you have to leave, so let's have some fun and see where it goes. But before you agree, understand that I will command you, I will ask you to do things that are outside of your comfort zone and I will give you more pleasure than you can imagine. If you say yes, then you agree to trust that, no matter what I ask, I will keep you safe."

"The only thing I'm scared of is walking away without taking a chance," she whispered.

Riley's hand scorched through her blouse as he trailed his fingers up and down her spine with one hand and along the inside of her thigh with the other. Her pulse pounded harder with every passing second until she wanted—no needed—him to kiss her.

"I have missed you, baby girl."

Oh hell, she'd almost forgotten about his favorite nickname for her. This time instead of annoying her, the sentiment melted something inside her.

"Please, Riley, teach me what you like. Show me what pleases you."

He pulled back and gazed into her eyes. Lust and determination swirled through his as she waited for what would come next.

"Two days then…"

Don't forget to follow the trail for more snippety goodness.

Leah Braemel

Lissa Matthews

Mari Carr

McKenna Jeffries

Taige Crenshaw

Delilah Devlin

Shelli Stevens

TJ Michaels

2010 Wrap Up – Bring on 2011!

I've been thinking a lot this week about the past year. Kind of reflecting on what worked and what didn't so I can work on my goals for 2011. I also made a list of everything I accomplished. Here are some of the highlights. In list form I think it looks pretty good. Even if the year did seem to go by waaay too fast!

Had 8 new books come out

Lucas
Kane
Fire & Desire
Dirty Deeds
Slave To Pleasure
Black Moon Rising
Bottoms Up
Midnight Playground

2 of those books made the overall Top 10 list at All Romance eBooks – (Slave To Pleasure and Bottoms Up) this was a first for me. I usually have best sellers by category but it came as a wonderful surprise to be in the top 10 of all books sold. Very exciting times.

In 2010 I wrote 231,000 words.

I experimented with Self Publishing – I'll probably talk about this in more detail on the new writing blog I'll be debuting on Monday.

I wrote more blog posts than I care to count - Keeping up with blogs can be hard to do but I'm trying.

Attended 6 book related conventions – RT, DragonCon, Authors After Dark, ConCarolinas, Fetish Fair Fleamarket,  & Leather Fet

Sat on 6 panels on such subjects as BDSM, writing sex, marketing, shapeshifters and general supernatural beings. (Three of those panels were videotaped and posted on the blog earlier in the year)

Did my first public reading – 2 actually and ended up having a LOT of fun.

Attended my first Social Media convention – this was done for the day job but I learned all kinds of goodies about branding, SEO and social networking.

Read 80 novels, novellas and short stories

Discovered several new to me authors that are now auto buys.

It's been a pretty good year and I'm quite thankful for everything. Especially the readers who continue to buy my books and make it possible for me to keep writing. Thank you!

Now I'm off to ring in the new year.